The story “The Little Bully” by Enid Blyton introduces readers to a character named Hari, a young boy who is disliked by all the children around him. This dislike isn’t without reason—Hari’s behavior and actions make him unpopular among his peers. The story conveys an important moral lesson about friendship, empathy, and the consequences of bullying.
But what exactly made all the children hate Hari? Let’s explore the reasons behind Hari’s unpopularity and understand the valuable lessons this story teaches about human relationships and behavior.
1. Hari’s Bullying Nature
The most significant reason all the children hated Hari was his bullying behavior. Hari had a bad habit of teasing, pinching, and poking his classmates. Instead of being friendly and kind, he found pleasure in causing discomfort to others. His actions were hurtful and made the other children feel unsafe around him.
For instance, Hari would pinch people so hard that it would leave them sore. He also liked pricking them with a sharp pin. This behavior naturally made other children stay away from him. No one enjoys the company of someone who causes pain, and Hari’s bullying ensured he had no friends. His inability to understand that friendship is built on trust and kindness led to his isolation.
2. Lack of Empathy and Understanding
Hari’s behavior reflected a lack of empathy. He did not understand how his actions affected others. Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is crucial in building and maintaining relationships. Hari failed to recognize the pain he caused his classmates.
Whenever he teased or hurt someone, he did not feel remorse or regret. This lack of understanding made it impossible for others to relate to him. Children hated being around him because he never considered how they felt. His thoughtless behavior made him unapproachable and unpopular.
3. Absence of Positive Social Skills
Friendships are built on positive social skills like sharing, caring, helping, and cooperating. Unfortunately, Hari lacked these skills. Instead of participating in fun and friendly activities with his peers, he preferred annoying them.
His inability to communicate positively or participate in group activities made it difficult for other children to include him. Whenever there was an opportunity to play or have fun together, Hari would ruin it with his unpleasant behavior. Over time, the children grew to avoid him completely.
4. Selfish and Mean Behavior
Another reason for Hari’s unpopularity was his selfish nature. He never thought about what others might enjoy or how they might feel. He was more interested in satisfying his own desires—even if that meant hurting others.
Children generally like friends who are generous, understanding, and supportive. Hari’s selfishness made him stand out for all the wrong reasons. His mean attitude pushed others away, reinforcing his loneliness.
5. Fear Among Other Children
Hari’s bullying created an environment of fear among the other children. Instead of respecting or liking him, they were afraid of his pinches and pricks. Fear is never a healthy foundation for friendship. True friendships grow where there is mutual respect, care, and trust.
The children didn’t want to risk getting hurt by being around Hari. As a result, they avoided him whenever they could. Their fear translated into dislike, making Hari one of the most unpopular children in the group.
6. The Lesson Hari Learned
The turning point in the story comes when Hari encounters a group of crabs, lobsters, and shrimps on the beach. These creatures treated Hari the same way he had treated others—pinching him hard. For the first time, Hari experienced what it felt like to be on the receiving end of bullying.
This experience made him realize how painful his actions had been for others. He understood why no one wanted to play with him. The lesson Hari learned was clear: if you want to be treated kindly, you must treat others with kindness.
Conclusion
All the children hated Hari because of his bullying nature, lack of empathy, selfishness, and hurtful behavior. His pinching, pricking, and teasing made him feared and disliked by his classmates. However, the story ends on a hopeful note as Hari learns an important lesson about empathy and kindness after being pinched by the sea creatures.
The story of Hari teaches readers a timeless lesson: Friendship is built on kindness, understanding, and respect. If we want others to like us and include us, we must treat them with the same warmth and care. Hari’s transformation serves as a reminder that it is never too late to change, make amends, and build meaningful relationships.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
